On Trial (1928 film)

On Trial is a 1928 American pre-Code crime drama film directed by Archie Mayo. It is based on the 1914 Broadway play of the same name by Elmer Rice. The film is notable for being one of the earliest full-sound "talkies" produced by Warner Bros., utilizing the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system. It features dialogue, sound effects, and a musical score.

The plot revolves around Robert Strickland, a businessman accused of murdering his partner. The film unfolds in a courtroom setting, utilizing flashback sequences to present different perspectives and versions of events leading up to the crime. The narrative structure is non-linear, shifting between the courtroom trial and the past, creating suspense and uncertainty regarding Strickland's guilt or innocence.

Paul Page stars as Robert Strickland, and Lois Wilson plays his wife, Doris. The supporting cast includes Bert Lytell, Holmes Herbert, and Franklin Pangborn.

On Trial was a significant success for Warner Bros. and contributed to the growing popularity of sound films, helping to solidify their position as a major Hollywood studio. It was later remade in 1939 under the same title.